Shades of Passion
Shades of the pastDetective Simon Granger has devoted his life to solving high-stakes cases, and he’s vowed never again to get involved with a woman whose work is equally as dangerous. But when the Special Investigations Group teams him with a beautiful psychiatrist, his resolve is shattered by the tense and emotionally charged partnership…Shades of intrigue Determined to outrun the grief over her sister’s death, Dr. Nina Whitaker reluctantly agrees to use her training to help the police. Despite Detective Granger's disdain for her profession, she believes she can change his mind.But then a grieving father begins a deadly game of revenge, threatening Nina's life, challenging her beliefs, and drawing Nina and Simon together in an explosive endgame of intrigue…and unstoppable passion. Shades of passion…
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SHADES OF THE PAST
Detective Simon Granger has devoted his life to solving high-risk cases, and he’s vowed never again to get involved with a woman whose work is equally as dangerous. But when the Special Investigations Group teams him with a beautiful psychiatrist, his resolve is shattered by the tense and emotionally charged partnership....
SHADES OF INTRIGUE
Determined to outrun the grief over her sister’s death, Dr. Nina Whitaker reluctantly agrees to use her training to help the police. Despite Detective Granger’s disdain for her profession, she believes she can change his mind. But then a grieving father begins a deadly game of revenge, threatening Nina’s life, challenging her beliefs, and drawing Nina and Simon together in an explosive endgame of intrigue…and unstoppable passion.
SHADES OF PASSION…
Praise for the novels of Virna DePaul
“DePaul’s latest novel combines nonstop action, a cunning villain and one very strong and passionate special agent working through her own demons after a tragic incident...what carries this story is the fiery chemistry between the two main characters.”
—RT Book Reviews on Shades of Temptation
“Sexy, page-turning excitement.”
—New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster on Shades of Desire
“DePaul’s romantic suspense has shades of a thriller inside the pages, with damaged characters, love scenes that make the pages almost too hot to handle and hair-raising villains…a very enjoyable read.”
—RT Book Reviews on Shades of Desire
“Gripping…the perfect blend of danger, intrigue and romance. You won’t be able to put this book down.”
—New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak on Chosen by Blood
“So incredibly well written, different and hot!”
—New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione on Chosen by Blood
Contents
PROLOGUE
THE MAN CAME TO BETH just when she needed him most.
Just when the pain of existence became too sharp to bear.
She looked into eyes that morphed into rich landscapes, green hills and golden sunsets that stretched far beyond the back of his head, going on for an eternity.
Those eyes beckoned her, promising an end to her suffering. Tempting her with not just peace, but infinite joy. Love. Acceptance.
Only there was love here. Hope.
Hadn’t someone told her that? Someone she trusted? Believed? Hadn’t she said the world was beautiful?
The man held out his hand. In his palm lay a pink satin ribbon. “The world can be beautiful,” he said. “Depending on which direction you travel.”
I’ve traveled so long, Beth thought. I’m tired.
“I know you’re tired,” the man said. “Come with me. I’ll carry you. I’ll let you rest.”
His voice matched the hypnotic beauty of his eyes. It was a deep rumble that resonated throughout her body, enveloping her in a comforting hug the same way her mother’s arms used to wrap around her. But her mother, her champion, was gone now. Cancer had taken her. It had eaten away at her insides and left Beth alone, with only her father for company. She didn’t want her father. She didn’t trust him.
There was another woman, though. Another woman who fought for her. Wasn’t there?
Beth struggled to remember, but her vision tunneled, focusing her attention on the long length of ribbon in the man’s hand. She reached out and stroked it. It felt smooth. Soft. And when Beth pressed the ribbon against her lips, the memory of her mother’s kisses made her weep.
“You’re not alone,” the man said. “I’m with you. Part of you. Part of everyone. I’ll bring you to your mother. She’s waiting. All you need to do is trust me.”
Beth’s tears dried up, and her grief turned to resolve.
Trust me. Trust us. Trust me.
The man’s visage blurred. Morphed into one of a female with blond hair and green eyes.
I know her, Beth thought. She’s helped me. She can help me again.
I’m part of everyone, the man had said. I’m part of you.
Which meant Beth wasn’t alone. Not anymore. And she never would be.
Not if she trusted him.
Following the man’s instructions, Beth held the ribbon between her hands, then looped it around her throat.
“It will hurt at first,” the man warned.
Beth hesitated. Where had the woman gone?
“Don’t fight it. It’s like being born again. You’ll close your eyes and sleep for a time. But when you wake up, I’ll be there. And so will your mother. You’ll finally be happy. No one will hurt you ever again.”
“I hurt,” Beth whispered. “I don’t want to hurt anymore.”
So she did what the man said until she couldn’t breathe. Until she felt pain. Until she felt fear.
